Systems and methods for providing network security using a secure digital device

ABSTRACT

A system may include a traffic interception module configured to intercept network traffic of a host device. A traffic virtualization module may be configured to generate a virtual file on the host device containing the intercepted network traffic. A security system interface module may be configured to provide the virtual file to a secure digital security system over a virtualized file interface coupling the host device to the secure digital security system, and to receive instructions to allow or to deny the network traffic from the secure digital security system over the virtualized file interface. A traffic access management module may be configured to allow or to deny the network traffic based on the instructions.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/729,895, filed Apr. 26, 2022 and entitled “Systems and Methods forProviding Network Security Using a Secure Digital Device,” which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/883,785, filed May26, 2020 and entitled “Systems and Methods for Providing NetworkSecurity Using a Secure Digital Device,” now U.S. Pat. No. 11,316,905,which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/299,087,filed Mar. 11, 2019 and entitled “Systems and Methods for ProvidingNetwork Security Using a Secure Digital Device,” now U.S. Pat. No.10,666,688, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/701,365, filed Sep. 11, 2017 and entitled “Systems and Methods forProviding Network Security Using a Secure Digital Device,” now U.S. Pat.No. 10,291,656, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 14/622,764, filed Feb. 13, 2015 and entitled “Systems and Methodsfor Providing Network Security Using a Secure Digital Device,” now U.S.Pat. No. 9,762,614, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/943,364, filed Feb. 22, 2014 and entitled“Systems and Methods for Providing Network Security Via an SDInterface,” and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.61/939,644, filed Feb. 13, 2014 and entitled “Systems and Methods forProviding Network Security Via an SD Interface,” all of which are herebyincorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technical field relates to computer security systems and methods.More specifically, the technical field relates to systems and methodsfor providing security to a digital device using a secure digitaldevice.

BACKGROUND

Computer networks have proven to be a valuable source of information andentertainment for many users. Although the architecture of a specificcomputer network depends on numerous factors, many computer networksinteract with access points, other devices, network resources, networknodes, transmission media etc. that may communicate viruses, spyware,adware, worms, Trojan Horses, and other malicious code.

Portable electronic devices, such as mobile phones, tablet computingdevices, and laptop computers, have proven particularly susceptible tothese malicious threats. As many portable electronic devices have thecapability to travel to different locations, they have the capability toaccess different individual computer networks at each differentlocation. Although many devices seeking to access a computer network useanti-malware hardware and/or software for protection against maliciouscode, many security frameworks are not easily applicable to portableelectronic devices. It would be helpful to provide security systems thateffectively allow portable electronic devices to defend againstmalicious code. It would also be helpful if the security systems werecompatible with existing hardware and/or software configurations of manyportable electronic devices.

SUMMARY

A system may include a traffic interception module configured tointercept network traffic of a host device. A traffic virtualizationmodule may be configured to generate a virtual file on the host devicecontaining the intercepted network traffic. A security system interfacemodule may be configured to provide the virtual file to a secure digitalsecurity system over a virtualized file interface coupling the hostdevice to the secure digital security system, and to receiveinstructions to allow or to deny the network traffic from the securedigital security system over the virtualized file interface. A trafficaccess management module may be configured to allow or to deny thenetwork traffic based on the instructions.

In some embodiments, the network traffic comprises outgoing networktraffic. The network traffic may comprise incoming network traffic.

The system may include a virtualized traffic encryption moduleconfigured to encrypt the virtual file before the security systeminterface module provides the virtual file to the secure digitalsecurity system over the virtualized file interface. The trafficinterception module may be configured to monitor one or moreapplications and/or processes for the presence or absence of the networktraffic. The traffic interception module is configured to monitor one ormore root-level processes of a network interface for the presence orabsence of the network traffic.

The secure digital security system may be incorporated into a SecureDigital (SD) card coupled to the host device. In some embodiments, thehost device comprises a portable electronic device.

A secure digital security system may comprise a virtualized filemanagement module configured to receive a virtual file from a hostdevice over a virtualized file interface coupling the host device to thesecure digital security system, the virtual file containing networktraffic intercepted at the host device. A security policy managementmodule may be configured to evaluate the network traffic for compliancewith a security policy. A traffic access determination module may beconfigured to determine whether to allow or deny the specific networktraffic in accordance with the security policy. An instruction providingmodule may be configured to provide to the host device over thevirtualized file interface instructions allowing or denying the specificnetwork traffic.

In some embodiments, the network traffic comprises outgoing networktraffic. The network traffic may comprise incoming network traffic.

The virtual file may comprise an encrypted virtual file. The securedigital security system is may be incorporated into a Secure Digital(SD) card coupled to the host device. In various embodiments, the hostdevice comprises a portable electronic device.

A method may comprise: intercepting network traffic at a host device;generating a virtual file on the host device containing the networktraffic; providing the virtual file to a secure digital security systemover a virtualized file interface coupling the host device to the securedigital security system; receiving over the virtualized file interfaceinstructions allowing or denying the network traffic from the securedigital security system; and allowing or denying the specific networktraffic based on the instructions.

In some embodiments, the network traffic comprises outgoing networktraffic. The network traffic may comprise incoming network traffic.

The virtual file may be encrypted before being provided to the securedigital security system over the virtualized file interface. Monitoringnetwork traffic may comprise monitoring one or more applications and/orprocesses. Monitoring the network traffic may comprise monitoring one ormore root-level processes of a network interface.

The virtual file may comprise an encrypted virtual file. The securedigital security system is may be incorporated into a Secure Digital(SD) card coupled to the host device. In various embodiments, the hostdevice comprises a portable electronic device.

A method may comprise: receiving a virtual file from a host device overa virtualized file interface, the virtual file containing networktraffic intercepted at a host device; evaluating the network traffic forcompliance with a security policy; determining whether to allow or todeny the network traffic in accordance with the security policy; andproviding over the virtualized file interface to the host deviceinstructions allowing or denying the network traffic.

In some embodiments, the network traffic comprises outgoing networktraffic. The network traffic may comprise incoming network traffic.

The virtual file may comprise an encrypted virtual file. The securedigital security system is may be incorporated into a Secure Digital(SD) card coupled to the host device. In various embodiments, the hostdevice comprises a portable electronic device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a network security system,according to some embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a traffic virtualizationsecurity system, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a secure digital securitysystem, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a host device and a securedigital device, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a host device and a securedigital device, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a host device and a securedigital device, according to some application-level redirectembodiments.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a host device and a securedigital device, according to some root-level redirect embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an example of a method for securing outgoingtraffic, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an example of a method for securing incomingtraffic, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 10 . is a flowchart of an example of a method for providinginstructions to allow or to deny network traffic in a virtual file,according to some embodiments.

FIG. 11 is a diagram of an example of signal flow that occurs whensecuring outgoing traffic and incoming traffic, according to someembodiments.

FIG. 12 shows an example of a digital device, according to someembodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Portable electronic devices face many security challenges. As portableelectronic devices have the ability to travel from one location toanother, they typically have the ability to access different computernetworks and different devices. This portability often carries with itrisk of security threats. Moreover, as the hardware and softwareresources of portable electronic devices are often limited, portableelectronic devices are often unable to use the same anti-malwarehardware and/or software that their desktop counterparts that residewithin a protected environment. It would be helpful to have systems andmethods that secure portable electronic devices from malicious code,particularly given the portability and the hardware and/or softwareconstraints of portable electronic devices.

Portable electronic devices, such as Android® smartphones and tabletdevices, often use secure digital (SD) devices, e.g., SD cards, to storeand retrieve files and other data. Secure digital devices typically donot support network traffic for host devices, or at best only supportnetwork traffic at transfer speeds that are unreasonably slow (e.g.,100's kb/s), especially compared to the file transfer speeds of thesesecure storage devices (e.g., 10's MB/s).

Accordingly, various embodiments herein capitalize on the rapid filetransfer capabilities of secure digital devices to scan and evaluatenetwork traffic for compliance with security policies. In variousembodiments, network traffic may be intercepted at a host device andredirected to the secure digital device that processes the securitypolicy stored thereon. In some embodiments, the network traffic may bevirtualized and provided as a virtual file to the secure digital deviceusing a file system interface between the host device and the securedigital device. The secure digital device can evaluate the networktraffic in accordance with the security policy and may provide the hostsystem with instructions to allow or deny the network traffic.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a network security system 100,according to some embodiments. The network security system 100 includesa host device 105, a secure digital device 110 coupled to the hostdevice 105, a computer network 115 coupled to the host device 105, and acontent server 120 coupled to the computer network 115. In variousembodiments, the host device 105 is protected from malicious codethrough the secure digital device 110. As discussed further herein,network traffic may be intercepted at the host device 105, incorporatedinto a streaming file using virtualization techniques on the host device105, and provided to the secure digital device 110 for analysis inaccordance with a security policy. The secure digital device 110 mayinclude a secure digital security system 135 capable of evaluating thenetwork traffic relative to the security policy, and capable ofinstructing the host device 105 to allow or block the network trafficbased on the evaluation.

The host device 105 may include a digital device. A digital device, asdescribed herein, may include any electronic device having a memory anda processor. The host device 105 may have some or all of the componentsof the digital device 1200, shown in FIG. 12 , and discussed furtherherein. In some embodiments, the host device 105 includes a portableelectronic device, such as a mobile phone, a tablet computing device, alaptop computer, etc. In various embodiments, the host device 105 has amobile operating system installed thereon. Examples of mobile operatingsystems include Android®-based operating systems, Windows Phone®-basedoperating systems, and Apple's OS (“iOS”) operating systems.

In some embodiments, the host device 105 includes a network accessmodule 125 and a traffic virtualization security system 130. The networkaccess module 125 may include hardware, software, and/or firmwareoperative to access communications to and from the computer network 115.In some embodiments, the network access module 125 includes a NetworkInterface Card (“NIC”). The network access module 125 may includewireless radios, antennae, and other input/output hardware, software,and/or firmware that allows the host device 105 to communicate with thecomputer network 115, wired or wirelessly. In some embodiments, thenetwork access module 125 may include a cellular data connection, a WiFiconnection, a Bluetooth® connection, etc.

The network access module 125 may operate to provide outgoing networktraffic to the computer network 115 and may receive incoming networktraffic from the computer network 115. Outgoing network traffic mayinclude any data from the host device 105 that is directed to thecomputer network 115. In some embodiments, outgoing network traffic mayinclude traffic related to requests for network resources. For instance,outgoing network traffic may include web content requests fromapplications, processes, etc. on the host device 105 for content on thecontent server 120. Outgoing network traffic may also include filetransfer requests for files on the content server 120 requested byapplications, processes, etc. on the host device 105. In someembodiments, outgoing network traffic may include network traffic thatis related to confidential data on the host device 105 that is not to beprovided to the computer network 115. For example, outgoing networktraffic may include requests attempting to release usernames, passwords,account information, Short Messaging System (“SMS”) numbers, and/orother confidential data from the host device 105.

The network access module 125 may also operate to receive incomingnetwork traffic from the computer network 115. Incoming network trafficmay include any data the host device 105 receives from the computernetwork 115. Examples of incoming network traffic include content fromnetworked resources. For instance, incoming network traffic may includeweb content, files, data, music, video, executables, scripts, etc. fromthe content server 120.

The traffic virtualization security system 130 may include hardware,software, and/or firmware operative to identify, virtualize, andredirect network traffic to and from the secure digital security system135. In some embodiments, the traffic virtualization security system 130may be incorporated into application-level software (e.g., networkservice redirection frameworks) of the host device 105. Theseembodiments may be referred to herein as “application-level redirect”embodiments. In application-level redirect embodiments, the trafficvirtualization security system 130 may monitor one or more applicationsand/or processes for the presence or absence of outgoing network trafficand/or incoming network traffic. Some application-level redirectembodiments may only monitor applications and/or processes for thepresence or absence of outgoing network traffic. FIG. 6 shows someapplication-level redirect embodiments in greater detail.

In some embodiments, the traffic virtualization security system 130 isincorporated into system-level software, such as drivers, kernel levelsoftware, etc., of the host device 105. These embodiments may bereferred to herein as “root-level redirect” embodiments. In root-levelredirect embodiments, the traffic virtualization security system 130 maybe incorporated into device drivers and/or kernel-level processes of theNIC of the host device 105. In root-level redirect embodiments, thetraffic virtualization security system 130 monitors one or moreroot-level processes of the host device 105 for the presence or absenceof outgoing network traffic and/or incoming network traffic. In someembodiments, the root-level redirect code may be part of the networkaccess module 125. FIG. 7 shows some root-level redirect embodiments ingreater detail.

In various embodiments, the traffic virtualization security system 130is operative to intercept outgoing network traffic before the outgoingnetwork traffic reaches the computer network 115. The trafficvirtualization security system 130 may also be operative to interceptincoming network traffic before the incoming network traffic has exitedthe network access module 125. The traffic virtualization securitysystem 130 may further use virtualization techniques to virtualizeintercepted network traffic to produce a virtual file that representsintercepted network traffic.

Using encryption techniques, the traffic virtualization security system130 may encrypt the virtual file into a format that can be secured fromunauthorized access. The traffic virtualization security system 130 mayalso stream an encrypted virtual file to the secure digital securitysystem 135, where the encrypted virtual file are evaluated for maliciouscode, as described further herein. The secure digital security system135 may instruct the traffic virtualization security system 130 to allowor to deny access by network traffic to the computer network 115. Invarious embodiments, the traffic virtualization security system 130includes hardware, software, and/or firmware operative to allow or denyaccess based on instructions from the secure digital security system135. FIG. 2 shows the traffic virtualization security system 130 ingreater detail.

The secure digital device 110 may include a digital device that can becoupled to the host device 105. In various embodiments, the securedigital device 110 may comprise a Secure Digital (SD) card such as amicro SD (OD) card. The secure digital device 110 may further include aprocessor, memory, and storage. For example, in some embodiments, thesecure digital device 110 includes a OD card having a processor, Flashmemory, and Random Access Memory (RAM) (e.g., Double Data Rate (DDR)RAM). The processor, memory, and storage of the secure digital device110 may be independent of the processor, memory, and storage of the hostdevice 105. As a result, in various embodiments, security-related tasksmay be offloaded from the host device 105 to the secure digital device110 and/or may augment the security-related tasks occurring on the hostdevice 105. Using a separate processor, memory, and storage may alsoimmunize the secure digital device 110 to threats targeted to the hostdevice 105, and may allow the secure digital device 110 the ability tomonitor the host device 105 for changes from known security baselines.The secure digital device 110 may also have SD client software installedthereon. FIG. 5 shows components of an embodiment of the secure digitaldevice 110 in greater detail.

The secure digital security system 135 includes hardware, software,and/or firmware operative to scan (and possibly decrypt) the virtualfile that represents intercepted network traffic. In some embodiments,the secure digital security system 135 comprises an operating systemthat is distinct from the operating system of the host device 105. Forexample, the secure digital security system 135 may include a mobileoperating system (e.g., a Linux®-based operating system) that isindependent of the operating system of the host device 105. Further, thesecure digital security system 135 may incorporate a proxy server thatsupports the traffic virtualization security system 130. In variousembodiments, the secure digital security system 135 operates to evaluatethe network traffic represented in virtual files for compliance withIntrusion Detection and/or Prevention policies, firewalls, anti-malwarepolicies, web filters, etc.

In various embodiments, the secure digital security system 135 mayoperate in two or more modes, including a security mode and a storagemode. In the security mode, the secure digital security system 135 mayprovide the security functions described herein. In the storage mode,the secure digital storage device (e.g., a OD device) may operate as astorage device. FIG. 3 shows the secure digital security system 135 ingreater detail.

The computer network 115 may include a medium that couples digitaldevices to one another. The computer network 115 may includetechnologies such as Ethernet, 802.11x, worldwide interoperability formicrowave access WiMAX, 2G, 3G, 4G, CDMA, GSM, LTE, digital subscriberline (DSL), and/or the like. The computer network 115 may furtherinclude networking protocols such as multiprotocol label switching(MIMS), transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP), UserDatagram Protocol (UDP), hypertext transport protocol (HTTP), simplemail transfer protocol (SMTP), file transfer protocol (FTP), and/or thelike. The data exchanged over the computer network 115 can berepresented using technologies and/or formats including hypertext markuplanguage (HTML) and extensible markup language (XML). In addition, allor some links can be encrypted using conventional encryptiontechnologies such as secure sockets layer (SSL), transport layersecurity (TLS), and Internet Protocol security (IPsec). Although element115 is labeled a “computer network” in FIG. 1 , it is noted that invarious embodiments, the element 115 may refer to any medium thatfacilitates digital devices to other digital devices, or components ofdigital devices to other components of digital devices. In variousembodiments, the element 115 may refer to a bus, cable, or other deviceused to couple components of a digital device to one another.

The content server 120 may include a digital device configured toprovide content (e.g., web pages, executables, scripts, data, etc.) tothe host device 105. In various embodiments, the content server 120represents any source of incoming network traffic to the host device105. For instance, the content server 120 may include web servers, fileservers, other devices coupled to the computer network 115, etc.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a traffic virtualizationsecurity system 130, according to some embodiments. The trafficvirtualization security system 130 includes an outgoing trafficinterception module 205, an incoming traffic interception module 210, atraffic virtualization module 215, a virtualized traffic encryptionmodule 220, a security system interface module 225, an outgoing trafficaccess management module 230, and an incoming traffic access managementmodule 235.

The outgoing traffic interception module 205 may include hardware,software, and/or firmware operative to intercept outgoing networktraffic from the host device 105. In application-level redirectembodiments, the outgoing traffic interception module 205 monitorsnetwork calls of applications and/or processes of the host device 105for the presence or absence of outgoing network traffic. In root-levelredirect embodiments, the outgoing traffic interception module 205 maymonitor (e.g., hook) system- and/or kernel-processes of the networkaccess module 125 for the presence or absence of outgoing networktraffic. The outgoing traffic interception module 205 may provideintercepted outgoing network traffic to the other modules of the trafficvirtualization security system 130.

The incoming traffic interception module 210 may include hardware,software, and/or firmware operative to intercept incoming networktraffic to the host device 105. In application-level redirectembodiments, the incoming traffic interception module 210 monitors thenetwork calls of applications and/or processes of the host device 105for the presence or absence of incoming network traffic. It is notedsome application-level redirect embodiments may not monitor the networkcalls of applications and/or processes of the host device 105 for thepresence or absence of incoming network traffic. In root-level redirectembodiments, the incoming traffic interception module 210 may monitor(e.g., hook) system- and/or kernel-processes of the network accessmodule 125 for the presence or absence of incoming network traffic. Theincoming traffic interception module 210 may intercept relevant incomingnetwork traffic. The incoming traffic interception module 210 mayfurther provide intercepted incoming network traffic to the othermodules of the traffic virtualization security system 130.

The traffic virtualization module 215 may include hardware, software,and/or firmware operative to incorporate the network traffic that hasbeen intercepted by one or more of the outgoing traffic interceptionmodule 205 and the incoming traffic interception module 210 into avirtual file. In specific embodiments, the traffic virtualization module215 may use Virtual Private Network (VPN) frameworks associated with theoperating system of the host device 105 to create a virtual file and/ormodify an existing virtual file. For example, the traffic virtualizationmodule 215 may use VPN tables in the operating system of the host device105 to create the virtual file. In various embodiments, the trafficvirtualization module 215 may insert headers and/or other informationinto portions (e.g., packets) of the virtual file so that interceptednetwork traffic can be distinguished from other data, such as data to bestored on the secure digital device 110. The traffic virtualizationmodule 215 may provide the virtual file to one or more of the othermodules of the traffic virtualization security system 130.

The virtualized traffic encryption module 220 may include hardware,software, and/or firmware operative to encrypt the virtual file so thatthe virtual file is secure from access by unauthorized entities. In someembodiments, the virtualized traffic encryption module 220 usesencryption protocols that ensure that only a device that can decrypt thevirtual file, e.g., the secure digital device 110, can read the virtualfile. Any convenient encryption protocols may be employed. In variousembodiments, the virtualized traffic encryption module 220 provides theencrypted virtual file to the other modules of the trafficvirtualization security system 130.

The security system interface module 225 may include hardware, software,and/or firmware to interface with the secure digital security system135. More specifically, the security system interface module 225 mayprovide a connection to the secure digital security system 135. Invarious embodiments, the security system interface module 225 is part ofa SD card interface to the secure digital device 110. The connection mayinclude a virtualized file interface, such as a VPN (e.g., a virtualInput/output (I/O) faux-file system). In application-level redirectembodiments, the connection may comprise a secure and encrypted couplingbetween the network service redirection frameworks of the host device105 and a kernel of the secure digital device 110. In root-levelredirect embodiments, the connection may comprise a secure and encryptedcoupling between a portion of the kernel of the host device 105 and aportion of the kernel of the secure digital device 110. The securitysystem interface module 225 may use the connection to stream theencrypted virtual file to the secure digital security system 135.

In various embodiments, the security system interface module 225 mayawait evaluation results from the secure digital security system 135, asdiscussed further herein. The security system interface module 225 mayreceive, from the secure digital security system 135, instructionswhether to allow or to deny specific outgoing network traffic and/orspecific incoming network traffic. In various embodiments, theinstructions may be provided over the virtualized file interface. Thesecurity system interface module 225 may provide the instructions to theother modules of the traffic virtualization security system 130.

The outgoing traffic access management module 230 may include hardware,software, and/or firmware operative to allow or to deny outgoing networktraffic. The determination whether to allow or to deny outgoing networktraffic may be based on instructions from the secure digital securitysystem 135, as discussed further herein. In some application-levelredirect embodiments, the outgoing traffic access management module 230allows and/or denies access to the computer network 115 by specificnetwork calls of applications and/or processes of the host device 105.In some root-level redirect embodiments, the outgoing traffic accessmanagement module 230 allows and/or denies access to the computernetwork 115 by system- and/or kernel-processes of the network accessmodule 125.

The incoming traffic access management module 240 may include hardware,software, and/or firmware operative to allow or to deny incoming networktraffic. The determination whether to allow or to deny incoming networktraffic may be based on instructions from the secure digital securitysystem 135, as discussed further herein. In some embodiments, theincoming traffic access management module 240 allows and/or deniesincoming network traffic access to portions of the host device otherthan the network access module 125 and the traffic virtualizationsecurity system 130. For instance, the incoming traffic accessmanagement 105.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a secure digital securitysystem 135, according to some embodiments. The secure digital securitysystem 135 includes an operating system management module 305, asettings management module 310, a virtualized file management module315, an outgoing traffic identification module 320, an incoming trafficidentification module 325, a security policy management module 330, anoutgoing traffic access determination module 335, an incoming trafficaccess determination module 340, and an instruction providing module345.

The operating system management module 305 may include hardware,software, and/or firmware operative to manage an operating system of thesecure digital security system 135. In various embodiments, theoperating system management module 305 loads and maintains the operatingsystem of the secure digital security system 135. The operating systemmanagement module 305 may also support any proxy servers maintained bythe secure digital security system 135.

The settings management module 310 may include hardware, software,and/or firmware operative to manage settings of the secure digitalsecurity system 135. In some embodiments, the settings management module310 may receive instructions from the traffic virtualization securitysystem 130 whether to operate the secure digital security system 135 asa storage device and/or as a security device, as discussed furtherherein. Based on these instructions, the settings management module 310may enable or disable security features of the secure digital securitysystem 135. In some embodiments, the settings management module 310supports remote management of the secure digital security system 135.More particularly, the settings management module 310 may allow anInformation Technology (IT) administrator or other person withadministrative privileges to remotely manage settings of the securedigital security system 135. The settings management module 310 mayfurther allow the secure digital security system 135 to report ongoingthreats to IT administrators or others with administrative privileges.

The virtualized file management module 315 may include hardware,software, and/or firmware operative to receive a streaming virtual filefrom the traffic virtualization security system 130. In someembodiments, the virtualized file management module 315 receives virtualfiles that represent intercepted network traffic from the securitysystem interface module 225. As discussed herein, these virtual filesmay be streamed from the security system interface module 225. Thevirtualized file management module 315 may further include cryptographicprotocols to decrypt portions of a virtual file if needed. Thevirtualized file management module 315 may provide portions of a virtualfile to the other modules of the secure digital security system 135 sothat the other modules can screen the portions of the virtual file forcompliance with the security policies in the security policy managementmodule 330, as discussed further herein.

The outgoing traffic identification module 320 may include hardware,software, and/or firmware operative to identify outgoing network trafficin a virtual file. More specifically, the outgoing trafficidentification module 320 may screen a virtual file for the presence orthe absence of outgoing network traffic that has been intercepted by thetraffic virtualization security system 130. In some embodiments, theoutgoing traffic identification module 320 screens headers and/or otherinformation in the virtual file to identify whether portions of thevirtual file correspond to outgoing network traffic. The outgoingtraffic identification module 320 may provide the portions of thevirtual file identified to correspond to outgoing network traffic to theother modules of the secure digital security system 135.

The incoming traffic identification module 325 may include hardware,software, and/or firmware operative to identify incoming network trafficin a virtual file. More particularly, the incoming trafficidentification module 325 screen a virtual file for the presence or theabsence of incoming network traffic that has been intercepted by thetraffic virtualization security system 130. In some embodiments, theincoming traffic identification module 325 screens headers and/or otherinformation in the virtual file to identify whether portions of thevirtual file correspond to incoming network traffic. The incomingtraffic identification module 325 may provide the portions of thevirtual file identified to correspond to incoming network traffic to theother modules of the secure digital security system 135.

The security policy management module 330 may include hardware,software, and/or firmware operative to maintain security policies forthe secure digital security system 135. The security policies mayinclude security libraries that address known threats, zero-day attacks,provide intrusion detection, and/or provide protection from externalthreats. In some embodiments, the security policies include Firewall andVPN features—including stateful and stateless firewalls, Network AddressTranslation (NAT), packet filtering and manipulation, Denial of Service(DOS) and/or Distributed DOS (DDOS) protection, Netfilter features, theability to isolate user mobile devices from the internet and run VPNprogram on the device, etc.

In various embodiments, the security policies include web acceleratorand bandwidth/cache management based on protocols, such as Squid. Thesecurity policies may further include Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS)and/or Intrusion Protection Systems (IPS), such as IDS/IPS systems basedon Snort, an open source network intrusion prevention and detectionsystem utilizing a rule-driven language, which combines the benefits ofsignature, protocol- and anomaly-based inspections.

The security policies may further include antivirus and antispywarebased on ClamAV; additional AV and AS engines, e.g., McAfee, Kaspersky,Pandamay, may be offered for additional subscription fees. The securitypolicies may also include malicious content detection features, e.g., onthe fly heuristics that perform content analysis to detect maliciouscontent before having signatures. The malicious content detectionfeatures may be based on a rule base and updated rules and may includecontent dependent scanning.

In various embodiments, the security policies may further include URLCategorization Filtering. URL Categorization Filtering may be based on acommercial engine, such as Surfcontrol, Smart Filters or Websense. Thismay provide numerous categories of URLs such as gambling, adult content,news, webmail, etc. The security policies may apply different securitypolicies based on the URL category, e.g., higher restriction andheuristics for Gambling or Adult content web sites, etc.

The outgoing traffic access determination module 335 may determinewhether specific outgoing traffic is to be allowed access to thecomputer network 115 based on the security policies in the securitypolicy management module 330. In various embodiments, the outgoingtraffic access determination module 335 receives portions of the virtualfile identified to correspond to outgoing network traffic from theoutgoing traffic identification module 320. The outgoing traffic accessdetermination module 335 may further evaluate whether the identifiedportions are to be allowed or to be denied access to the computernetwork 115.

The incoming traffic access determination module 340 may determinewhether specific incoming traffic is to be allowed access to portions ofthe host device other than the network access module 125 and the trafficvirtualization security system 130. In some embodiments, the incomingtraffic access determination module 340 receives portions of the virtualfile identified to correspond to incoming network traffic from theincoming traffic identification module 325. The incoming traffic accessdetermination module 340 may further evaluate whether the identifiedportions are to be allowed or to be denied access to portions of thehost device other than the network access module 125 and the trafficvirtualization security system 130.

The instruction providing module 345 provides instructions to allow orto deny outgoing and/or incoming network traffic to the trafficvirtualization security system 130. As discussed further herein, thetraffic virtualization security system 130 may allow or deny theoutgoing network traffic and/or the incoming network traffic based onthe instructions.

FIG. 4 is a diagram 400 showing an example of a host device 105 and asecure digital device 110 coupled to one another with a virtualized fileinterface 402, according to some embodiments. The host device 105 mayinclude a settings module 404, an Android system module 406, a trafficvirtualization module 408, a first non-virtual file 410, a secondnon-virtual file 412, and network interface module 414. The settingsmodule 404 may manage security settings (e.g., starting/stoppingsecurity functions, facilitating manual input and/or overrides ofsecurity functions) of the host device 105.

The Android system module 406 may include networked applications and/orprocesses on the host device 105. In various embodiments, the Androidsystem module 406 includes applications and/or processes that provideoutgoing network traffic to the network interface module 414 and/orreceive incoming network traffic from the network interface module 414.The Android system module 406 may further include a virtualizationframework 416. Using the techniques described herein, the virtualizationframework 416 may incorporate network traffic into virtual files. Thevirtualization framework 416 may further add headers to specific networktraffic to identify the network traffic as such. As discussed furtherherein, the virtualization framework 416 may also provide data forstorage in the disk module 432 to the first non-virtual file 410 and thesecond non-virtual file 412 without incorporating the data into avirtual file.

The traffic virtualization module 408 may include virtual files and/orvirtualized file interfaces. In the example of FIG. 4 , the trafficvirtualization module 408 includes a first control channel virtual file418, a second control channel virtual file 420, a first network virtualconnection 422, a second network virtual file 424, a first networkvirtual file 426, and a second network virtual file 428. The firstcontrol channel virtual file 418, the second control channel virtualfile 420, the first network virtual connection 422, the second networkvirtual file 424, the first network virtual file 426, and the secondnetwork virtual file 428 may allow virtual files to be provided from theAndroid system module 406 to the virtualized file interface 402.

The secure digital device 110 may include a gatekeeper module 430, adisk module 432, and a controller module 434. The gatekeeper module 430may be configured to receive virtual files containing network trafficfrom the host device 105, evaluate the network traffic in these virtualfiles for compliance with a security policy, and provide the host device105 instructions whether to allow or to deny the network traffic. Thegatekeeper module 430 may include a first control channel virtual file436, a second control channel virtual file 438, a first virtual file440, a second virtual file 442, a third virtual file 444, and a fourthvirtual file 446. The first control channel virtual file 436, the secondcontrol channel virtual file 438, the first virtual file 440, the secondvirtual file 442, the third virtual file 444, and the fourth virtualfile 446 may receive virtual files from the host device 105 through thevirtualized file interface 402.

The gatekeeper module 430 may further include an incoming traffic accessdetermination module 448 and an outgoing traffic access determinationmodule 450. The incoming traffic access determination module 448 and theoutgoing traffic access determination module 450 may allow networktraffic to be evaluated in accordance with security policies and mayprovide instructions to allow or to deny the network traffic based onthe evaluations.

The disk module 432 may include storage and/or memory for storing data.In various embodiments, the disk module 432 receives data from the hostdevice 105. The data need not be virtualized and, instead, may beprovided to the disk module 432 using a non-virtualized file interface.The disk module 432 may further store the data. The controller module434 may be configured to receive data from the first non-virtual file410 and provide the data to the disk module 432. In various embodiments,the controller module 434 provides data from the disk module 432 to thesecond non-virtual file 412.

The virtualized file interface 402 may couple the host device 105 to thesecure digital device 110. In various embodiments, the virtualized fileinterface 402 facilitates transfer of virtual files between the hostdevice 105 and the secure digital device 110. The virtualized fileinterface 402 may include one or more virtual file paths that allowvirtual files including network traffic to be transferred between thehost device 105 and the secure digital device 110, as discussed furtherherein.

In various embodiments, the host system 105, the secure digital device110, and the virtualized file interface 402 support one or more trafficpaths that allow network traffic to be routed to the gatekeeper module430 through the virtualized file interface 402, and allow storagetraffic (e.g., traffic associated with data to be stored on the securedigital device 110) to be routed directly to the disk module 432 withouthaving to be virtualized.

For example, the host system 105, the secure digital device 110, and thevirtualized file interface 402 may support an incoming network trafficpath 455. At a first branch 455 a, incoming network traffic is receivedat the network interface module 414 and provided to the virtualizationframework 416. At a second branch 455 b, the virtualization framework416 may identify the incoming network traffic as network traffic,incorporate the incoming network traffic into the first network virtualfile 426, and provide the first network virtual file 426 to thevirtualized file interface 402. At a third branch 455 c, the firstnetwork virtual file 426 is streamed to the secure digital device 110using the virtualized file interface 402. The third virtual file 444 maybe created at the secure digital device 110 using the information in thefirst network virtual file 426. At a fourth branch 455 d, the thirdvirtual file 444 is provided to the incoming traffic accessdetermination module 448 for evaluation in accordance with a securitypolicy. At a fifth branch 455 e, instructions to allow or to deny theincoming network traffic are provided from the incoming traffic accessdetermination module 448 and are incorporated into the first virtualfile 440. At a sixth branch 455 f, the first virtual file 440 isstreamed from the secure digital device 110 to the host device 105through the virtualized file interface 402. The first network virtualconnection 422 may receive the instructions as part of a streamedvirtual file. At a seventh branch 455 g, the incoming network traffic isallowed or denied by the Android system module 406. At an eighth branch455 h, control data relating to the incoming network traffic may bepassed through the virtualized file interface.

As another example, the host system 105, the secure digital device 110,and the virtualized file interface 402 may support an outgoing networktraffic path 460. At a first branch 460 a, the outgoing network trafficis generated at the Android system module 406. The outgoing networktraffic may be provided to the second network virtual file 424. Theoutgoing network traffic may be incorporated into a virtual file. At asecond branch 460 b, the virtual file may be streamed from the hostdevice 105 to the secure digital device 110 through the virtualized fileinterface 402. The second virtual file 442 may be created at the securedigital device 110 using the information in the second network virtualfile 424. At a third branch 460 c, the second virtual file 442 isprovided to the outgoing traffic access determination module 450 forevaluation in accordance with the security policy. At a fourth branch460 d, instructions to allow or to deny the outgoing network traffic areprovided from the outgoing traffic access determination module 450 andare incorporated into the fourth virtual file 446. At a fifth branch 460e, instructions to allow or to deny the outgoing network traffic arestreamed from the secure digital device 110 to the host device 105 overthe virtualized file interface 402. The instructions may be incorporatedinto the second network virtual file 428. Outgoing network traffic thatis denied need not access the network interface module 414. However,outgoing network traffic that is allowed may be provided to the networkover the network interface module 414. As a result, at a sixth branch460 f, the outgoing network traffic may be provided from the networkinterface module 414. At a seventh branch 460 g, control data relatingto the outgoing network traffic may be passed through the virtualizedfile interface.

As yet another example, the host system 105, the secure digital device110, and the virtualized file interface 402 may support an incomingstorage traffic path 465. At a first branch 465 a, the first non-virtualfile 410 is provided by the virtualization framework 416. The firstnon-virtual file 410 may include storage traffic, such as data that thehost device 105 is attempting to store in the disk module 432. At asecond branch 465 b, the first non-virtual file is provided to thecontroller module 434 over a file system interface that couples the hostdevice 105 to the secure digital device 110. The controller module 434may store the storage traffic on the disk module 432 using disk write orother procedures.

As yet another example, the host system 105, the secure digital device110, and the virtualized file interface 402 may support an outgoingstorage traffic path 470. In various embodiments, the disk module 432may provide the controller module 434 with outgoing storage traffic suchas data being read or transferred from the disk module 432. In a firstbranch 470 a, the controller module 434 may provide the outgoing storagetraffic to the host device 105, which in turn may store the outgoingstorage traffic as the second non-virtual file 412. At a second branch470 b, the virtualization framework 416 may provide the outgoing storagetraffic to the network interface module 414.

FIG. 5 is a diagram 500 showing an example of a host device 105 and asecure digital device 110, according to some embodiments. The hostdevice 105 is coupled to the secure digital device 110 using an SDinterface 505. The secure digital device 110 includes Random AccessMemory 510, a processing module 515, a non-volatile storage I/O module520, non-volatile storage 525, and an SD client interface 535. Theprocessing module 515 includes an ARM Cortex A processor 530, and thesecure digital security system 135. The host device may be coupled tothe SD client interface 535 with the SD interface 505. The SD clientinterface 535 may be coupled to the processing module 515. Further, theprocessing module 515 may be coupled to the random access memory 510 andto the non-volatile storage I/O module 520. The non-volatile storage I/Omodule 520 may be coupled to the non-volatile storage 525.

In various embodiments, the host device 105 and the secure digitaldevice 110 may support a network traffic path where network traffic isredirected to the secure digital security system 135 for evaluation inaccordance with a security policy stored in the non-volatile storage525. More specifically, in these embodiments, a security policy may bestored in the non-volatile storage 525. The security policy may beprotected by security protocols, such as cryptography protocols, thatsecure the security policy from unauthorized access outside the securedigital device 110. The network traffic may be provided from the hostdevice 105 through the SD interface 505 and the SD client interface 535to the secure digital security system 135. The secure digital securitysystem 135 may evaluate the network traffic in accordance with thesecurity policy stored in the non-volatile storage 525.

Additionally, in some embodiments, the host device 105 and the securedigital device 110 may support a storage traffic path that allowsstorage traffic to be stored in the random access memory 510. Moreparticularly, storage traffic may be provided by the host device 105through the SD interface 505 and the SD client interface 535 to thesecure digital security system 135. The storage traffic may further beprovided from the secure digital security system 135 to the randomaccess memory 510 for storage thereon.

FIG. 6 is a diagram 600 showing an example of a host device 105 and asecure digital device 110, according to some application-level redirectembodiments. As shown in FIG. 6 , the host device 105 may include asecurity management console 605, Android Applications (APPs) 610, anAndroid Service Framework to Network Redirect module 615, ApplicationFramework modules 620, an SD Ethernet Device Driver 625, an SD StorageDevice Driver 630, a host device kernel 635, and network interfaces(shown as a Fourth Generation (4G) network interface 640, a WiFi networkinterface 645, and a Bluetooth® network interface 650).

The secure digital device 110 may include a firewall module 655, anIDS/IPS module, other security modules 660, a secure digital devicekernel 665, an SD Ethernet Device Driver 670, an SD Storage DeviceDriver 675, and other device drivers 680. The host device 105 and thesecure digital device 110 may be connected to one another over a secureencrypted connection.

In various embodiments, the Android Service Framework to NetworkRedirect module 615 intercepts network traffic 685 from one or more ofthe Android APPs 610, the Application Framework modules 620, the hostdevice kernel 635, the Fourth Generation (4G) network interface 640, theWiFi network interface 645, and the Bluetooth® network interface 650.The Android Service Framework to Network Redirect module 615 may furtherincorporate the network traffic into a virtual file. The Android ServiceFramework to Network Redirect module 615 may further provide the virtualfile to the secure digital device kernel 665 using a secure connection695. The secure digital device 110 may evaluate the network traffic inaccordance with a security policy and may return instructions to allowor to deny the network traffic over the secure connection 695. TheAndroid Service Framework to Network Redirect module 615 may allow ordeny the network traffic based on these instructions. In someembodiments, the Android Service Framework to Network Redirect module615 provides the traffic to one or more of the Fourth Generation (4G)network interface 640, the WiFi network interface 645, and theBluetooth® network interface 650 using an outgoing network path.

FIG. 7 is a diagram 700 showing an example of a host device 105 and asecure digital device 110, according to some root-level redirectembodiments. The host device 105 may include a security managementconsole 705, Android Applications (APPs) 710, Android ApplicationFrameworks 715, a host device kernel module 720, an SD Ethernet DeviceDriver 725, an SD Storage Device Driver 730, other device drivers 735,and network interfaces (shown as a Fourth Generation (4G) networkinterface 740, a WiFi network interface 745, and a Bluetooth® networkinterface 750).

The secure digital device 110 may include a firewall module 755, a snortmodule 760, other security modules 765, a secure digital device kernel770, an SD Ethernet Device Driver 775, an SD Storage Device Driver 780,and other device drivers 785. The host device kernel module 720 and thesecure digital device kernel 770 may be connected to one another throughan SD interface 790.

In various embodiments, the host device kernel module 720 interceptsnetwork traffic 796 from one or more of the Android APPs 710, theApplication Framework modules 715, the host device kernel 720, theFourth Generation (4G) network interface 740, the WiFi network interface745, and the Bluetooth® network interface 750. The host device kernelmodule 720 further incorporate the network traffic into a virtual file.The host device kernel module 720 may further provide the virtual fileto the secure digital device kernel 770 using a secure connection 795over the SD Interface 790. The secure digital device 110 may evaluatethe network traffic in accordance with a security policy and may returninstructions to allow or to deny the network traffic over the secureconnection 795. The host device kernel module 720 may allow or deny thenetwork traffic based on these instructions. In some embodiments, thehost device kernel module 720 provides the traffic to one or more of theFourth Generation (4G) network interface 740, the WiFi network interface745, and the Bluetooth® network interface 750 using an outgoing networkpath.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an example of a method 800 for securingoutgoing traffic, according to some embodiments. The method 800 isdiscussed in conjunction with the traffic virtualization security system130.

At step 810, the outgoing traffic interception module 205 interceptsoutgoing network traffic of the host device 105. More specifically, theoutgoing traffic interception module 205 may redirect specific outgoingnetwork traffic to relevant network stacks and/or other portions of thetraffic virtualization security system 130 so that the specific outgoingnetwork traffic can be sent to the secure digital security system 135,as discussed further herein. The outgoing traffic interception module205 may monitor application-level and/or root-level processes foroutgoing network traffic, such as requests for network resources andnetwork access attempts. In application-level redirect embodiments, theoutgoing traffic interception module 205 monitors network calls ofapplications and/or processes of the host device 105. In root-levelembodiments, the outgoing traffic interception module 205 monitorssystem- and/or kernel-level processes for the presence or the absence ofoutgoing network traffic.

At step 815, the traffic virtualization module 215 incorporates theintercepted outgoing network traffic into a virtual file. For instance,the traffic virtualization module 215 may use VPN tables of theoperating system of the host device 105 to create a virtual file thatincorporates the outgoing network files therein. The trafficvirtualization module 215 may further insert headers etc. into packetsof the virtual file to identify portions of the virtual file thatinclude representations of the outgoing network traffic.

At step 820, the virtualized traffic encryption module 220 encrypts thevirtual file using one or more encryption protocols. As discussedfurther herein, the encryption protocols may be consistent with thecryptography techniques used by the secure digital security system 135.

At step 825, the security system interface module 225 provides thevirtual file to the secure digital security system 135 over avirtualized file interface coupling the host device 105 to the securedigital security system 135. In various embodiments, the security systeminterface module 225 streams the virtual file to the secure digitalsecurity system 135 over a virtualized file interface (e.g., a virtualI/O faux-file system). In application-level embodiments, the virtualizedfile interface may include a secure and encrypted coupling between thenetwork service redirection frameworks of the host device 105 and akernel of the secure digital device 110. In root-level redirectembodiments, the virtualized file interface may include a secure andencrypted coupling between a portion of the kernel of the host device105 and a portion of the kernel of the secure digital device 110.

At step 830, the traffic virtualization security system 130 awaitsevaluation of the virtual file by the secure digital security system135. During the relevant waiting period, the traffic virtualizationsecurity system 130 may perform other actions, such as continuing tomonitor network traffic, etc.

At step 835, the security system interface module 225 receivesinstructions to allow or to deny the intercepted outgoing networktraffic from the secure digital security system 135. The instructions toallow or to deny the outgoing network traffic may arrive over thevirtualized file interface. The security system interface module 225 mayprovide the instructions to allow or to deny the outgoing traffic to theoutgoing traffic access management module 230.

At step 840, the outgoing traffic access management module 230 allows ordenies the intercepted outgoing traffic using the instructions. Inapplication-level redirect embodiments, the outgoing traffic accessmanagement module 230 allows and/or denies access to the computernetwork 115 by specific network calls of applications and/or processesof the host device 105. In root-level redirect embodiments, the outgoingtraffic access management module 230 allows and/or denies access to thecomputer network 115 by system- and/or kernel-processes of the networkaccess module 125.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an example of a method 900 for securingincoming traffic, according to some embodiments. The method 900 isdiscussed in conjunction with the traffic virtualization security system130.

At step 910, the incoming traffic interception module 210 interceptsincoming network traffic of the host device 105. More specifically, theincoming traffic interception module 210 may redirect specific incomingnetwork traffic to relevant network stacks and/or other portions of thetraffic virtualization security system 130 so that the specific incomingnetwork traffic can be sent to the secure digital security system 135,as discussed further herein. In various embodiments, the incomingtraffic interception module 210 may monitor application-level and/orroot-level processes for incoming network traffic, networked resourcesand data arriving at the network access module 125. In root-levelembodiments, for instance, the incoming traffic interception module 210monitors system- and/or kernel-level processes for the presence or theabsence of incoming network traffic.

At step 915, the traffic virtualization module 215 incorporates theintercepted incoming network traffic into a virtual file. For instance,the traffic virtualization module 215 may use VPN tables of theoperating system of the host device 105 to create a virtual file thatincorporates the incoming network files therein. The trafficvirtualization module 215 may further insert headers etc. into packetsof the virtual file to identify portions of the virtual file thatinclude representations of the incoming network traffic.

At step 920, the virtualized traffic encryption module 220 encrypts thevirtual file using one or more encryption protocols. As discussedfurther herein, the encryption protocols may be consistent with thecryptography techniques used by the secure digital security system 135.

At step 925, the security system interface module 225 provides thevirtual file to the secure digital security system 135 over avirtualized file interface coupling the host device 105 to the securedigital security system 135. In some embodiments, the security systeminterface module 225 streams the virtual file to the secure digitalsecurity system 135 over a virtualized file interface (e.g., a virtualI/O faux-file system). In application-level embodiments, the virtualizedfile interface may include a secure and encrypted coupling between thenetwork service redirection frameworks of the host device 105 and akernel of the secure digital device 110. In root-level redirectembodiments, the virtualized file interface may include a secure andencrypted coupling between a portion of the kernel of the host device105 and a portion of the kernel of the secure digital device 110.

At step 930, the traffic virtualization security system 130 awaitsevaluation of the virtual file by the secure digital security system135. During the relevant waiting period, the traffic virtualizationsecurity system 130 may perform other actions, such as continuing tomonitor network traffic, etc.

At step 935, the security system interface module 225 receivesinstructions to allow or to deny the intercepted incoming networktraffic from the secure digital security system 135. The instructions toallow or to deny the outgoing network traffic may arrive over thevirtualized file interface. The security system interface module 225 mayprovide the instructions to allow or to deny the incoming traffic to theincoming traffic access management module 235.

At step 940, the incoming traffic access management module 235 allows ordenies the intercepted incoming traffic using the instructions. Inroot-level redirect embodiments, the incoming traffic access managementmodule 240 allows and/or denies incoming network traffic access toportions of the host device other than the network access module 125 andthe traffic virtualization security system 130. For instance, theincoming traffic access management module 240 may limit incoming networktraffic access rights outside the NIC of the host device 105.

FIG. 10 . is a flowchart of an example of a method 1000 for providinginstructions to allow or to deny network traffic in a virtual file,according to some embodiments. The method 1000 is discussed inconjunction with the secure digital security system 135.

At step 1005, the virtualized file management module 315 receives over avirtualized file interface an encrypted virtual file having networktraffic of the host device 105 represented therein. The virtualized fileinterface may couple the host device 105 to the secure digital securitysystem 135. The encrypted virtual file may have represented thereinoutgoing network traffic or incoming network traffic. The outgoingnetwork traffic and/or incoming network traffic may have been capturedby application-level redirect embodiments or root-level redirectembodiments of the traffic virtualization security system 130. As notedherein, in some embodiments, the virtualized file management module 315or other component of the secure digital security system 135 may look atthe header to differentiate between an encrypted virtual file containingnetwork traffic for evaluation and a real file write request or a realfile read request.

At step 1010, the virtualized file management module 315 decrypts thevirtual file. The virtualized file management module 315 may use similarcryptography protocols as the virtualized traffic encryption module 220,as discussed further herein.

At step 1015, the outgoing traffic identification module 320 or theincoming traffic identification module 325 identifies the networktraffic that is represented in the encrypted virtual file. Morespecifically, the outgoing traffic identification module 320 may screenheaders and/or other information in the virtual file to identify whetherportions of the virtual file correspond to outgoing network traffic. Theoutgoing traffic identification module 320 may provide the portions ofthe virtual file identified to correspond to outgoing network traffic tothe other modules of the secure digital security system 135. Further,the incoming traffic identification module 325 may screen headers and/orother information in the virtual file to identify whether portions ofthe virtual file correspond to incoming network traffic. The incomingtraffic identification module 325 may provide the portions of thevirtual file identified to correspond to incoming network traffic to theother modules of the secure digital security system 135.

At step 1020, the security policy management module 330 evaluates thenetwork traffic for compliance with a security policy stored on thesecure digital security system.

At step 1025, the outgoing traffic access determination module 335 orthe incoming traffic access determination module 340 determines whetherto allow or to deny the network traffic based on the evaluation. Morespecifically, the outgoing traffic access determination module 335 mayreceive portions of the virtual file identified to correspond tooutgoing network traffic from the outgoing traffic identification module320. The outgoing traffic access determination module 335 may furtherevaluate whether the identified portions are to be allowed or to bedenied access to the computer network 115. Further, the incoming trafficaccess determination module 340 may receive portions of the virtual fileidentified to correspond to incoming network traffic from the incomingtraffic identification module 325. The incoming traffic accessdetermination module 340 may further evaluate whether the identifiedportions are to be allowed or to be denied access to portions of thehost device other than the network access module 125 and the trafficvirtualization security system 130.

At step 1030, the instruction providing module 345 provides to the hostdevice 105 instructions to allow or to deny the network traffic over thevirtualized file interface. The instruction providing module 345 mayprovide the instructions in any manner compatible with the virtualizedfile interface.

FIG. 11 is a diagram 1100 of an example of signal flow that occurs whensecuring outgoing traffic and incoming traffic, according to someembodiments. The diagram 1100 includes the host device 105 and thesecure digital security device 111. The host device includes localapplications 1110, an output layer 1115, a post-routing layer 1120, IPtables 1125, a network stack 1130, an input layer 1135, and a preroutinglayer 1140.

The diagram 1100 also shows an incoming network traffic routing path1145, an outgoing network traffic routing path 1150, an allowableoutgoing network traffic routing path 1160, an allowable incomingnetwork traffic routing path 1165, and a denied outgoing network trafficand incoming network traffic routing path 1170.

The incoming network traffic routing path 1145 shows incoming networktraffic being received at the network stack 1130, and provided to the IPtables 1125. The IP tables 1125 may provide a virtual file representingthe incoming network traffic to the secure digital security system 135,where there is a determination whether to allow or to deny the incomingnetwork traffic. Allowable incoming network traffic may be providedalong the incoming network traffic routing path 1170, i.e., to the IPtables 1125 and the network stack 1130, where it is provided to thelocal applications 1110. Denied incoming network traffic and/or amessage regarding the denial may be provided to the outgoing networktraffic and incoming network traffic routing path 1170, i.e., throughthe prerouting layer 1140 and the input layer 1135 to the localapplications 1110.

The outgoing network traffic routing path 1150 shows outgoing networktraffic initiating at the local applications 1110, and being provided tothe output layer 1115 and the post-routing layer 1120 to the IP tables1125. The IP tables 1125 may provide a virtual file representing theoutgoing network traffic to the secure digital security system 135,where there is a determination to allow or to deny the outgoing networktraffic. Allowable outgoing network traffic may be provided along theallowable outgoing network traffic routing path 1160, i.e., to the IPtables 1125 and to the network stack 1130. Denied outgoing networktraffic and/or a message regarding the denial may be provided to theoutgoing network traffic and incoming network traffic routing path 1170,i.e., through the prerouting layer 1140 and the input layer 1135 to thelocal applications 1110.

FIG. 12 depicts an example of a digital device 1200, according to someembodiments. The digital device 1200 comprises a processor 1205, amemory system 1210, a storage system 1215, a communication networkinterface 1220, an input/output (I/O) interface 1225, a displayinterface 1230, and a bus 1235. The bus 1235 may be communicativelycoupled to the processor 1205, the memory system 1210, the storagesystem 1215, the communication network interface 1220, the I/O interface1225, and the display interface 1230.

In some embodiments, the processor 1205 comprises circuitry or anyprocessor capable of processing the executable instructions. The memorysystem 1210 comprises any memory configured to store data. Some examplesof the memory system 1210 are storage devices, such as RAM or ROM. Thememory system 1210 may comprise the RAM cache. In various embodiments,data is stored within the memory system 1210. The data within the memorysystem 1210 may be cleared or ultimately transferred to the storagesystem 1215.

The storage system 1215 comprises any storage configured to retrieve andstore data. Some examples of the storage system 1215 are flash drives,hard drives, optical drives, and/or magnetic tape. In some embodiments,the digital device 1200 includes a memory system 1210 in the form of RAMand a storage system 1215 in the form of flash data. Both the memorysystem 1210 and the storage system 1215 comprise computer readable mediawhich may store instructions or programs that are executable by acomputer processor including the processor 1205.

The communication network interface 1220 may be coupled to a datanetwork. The communication network interface 1220 may supportcommunication over an Ethernet connection, a serial connection, aparallel connection, or an ATA connection, for example. Thecommunication network interface 1220 may also support wirelesscommunication (e.g., 802.12 a/b/g/n, WiMAX, LTE, 4G, 3G, 2G). It will beapparent to those skilled in the art that the communication networkinterface 1220 may support many wired and wireless standards.

The optional input/output (I/O) interface 1225 is any device thatreceives input from the user and output data. The display interface 1230is any device that may be configured to output graphics and data to adisplay. In one example, the display interface 1230 is a graphicsadapter.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the hardwareelements of the digital device 1200 are not limited to those depicted inFIG. 12 . A digital device 1200 may comprise more or less hardwareelements than those depicted. Further, hardware elements may sharefunctionality and still be within various embodiments described herein.In one example, encoding and/or decoding may be performed by theprocessor 1205 and/or a co-processor located on a Graphics ProcessingUnit (“GPU”).

The above-described functions and components may be comprised ofinstructions that are stored on a storage medium such as a computerreadable medium. The instructions may be retrieved and executed by aprocessor. Some examples of instructions are software, program code, andfirmware. Some examples of storage medium are memory devices, tape,disks, integrated circuits, and servers. The instructions areoperational when executed by the processor to direct the processor tooperate in accord with some embodiments. Those skilled in the art arefamiliar with instructions, processor(s), and storage medium.

For purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of the description. It will beapparent, however, to one skilled in the art that embodiments of thedisclosure can be practiced without these specific details. In someinstances, modules, structures, processes, features, and devices areshown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the description.In other instances, functional block diagrams and flow diagrams areshown to represent data and logic flows. The components of blockdiagrams and flow diagrams (e.g., modules, blocks, structures, devices,features, etc.) may be variously combined, separated, removed,reordered, and replaced in a manner other than as expressly describedand depicted herein.

Reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,”“some embodiments,” “various embodiments,” “certain embodiments,” “otherembodiments,” “one series of embodiments,” or the like means that aparticular feature, design, structure, or characteristic described inconnection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment ofthe disclosure. The appearances of, for example, the phrase “in oneembodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places in the specificationare not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor areseparate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of otherembodiments. Moreover, whether or not there is express reference to an“embodiment” or the like, various features are described, which may bevariously combined and included in some embodiments, but also variouslyomitted in other embodiments. Similarly, various features are describedthat may be preferences or requirements for some embodiments, but notother embodiments.

The language used herein has been principally selected for readabilityand instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected todelineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. It is thereforeintended that the scope be limited not by this detailed description, butrather by any claims that issue on an application based hereon.Accordingly, the disclosure of the embodiments is intended to beillustrative, but not limiting, of the scope, which is set forth in thefollowing claims.

1. (canceled)
 2. A host device including: at least one hardwareprocessor; a virtual file interface configured to assist in transferringnetwork traffic as one or more virtual files to a secure digitalsecurity system, the secure digital security system including a securityengine configured to conduct a security process on network traffic; andmemory storing computer instructions, the computer instructionsconfigured to cause the at least one processor to: intercept the networktraffic, the intercepted network traffic including one of incomingnetwork traffic to the host device or outgoing network traffic from thehost device; package the intercepted network traffic as the one or morevirtual files containing the intercepted network traffic; provide theone or more virtual files to the virtual file interface, the virtualfile interface configured to assist in transferring the one or morevirtual files as file data to the secure digital security system, thesecure digital security system further configured to conduct thesecurity process on the intercepted network traffic contained in the oneor more virtual files and to generate a security indication indicatingwhether the intercepted network traffic is deemed safe according to thesecurity process; receive the security indication from the securedigital security system; and allow the system to process the interceptednetwork traffic when the security indication indicates that theintercepted network traffic is safe according to the security process.3. The host device of claim 2, wherein the secure digital securitysystem is a secure digital (SD) card.
 4. The host device of claim 2,wherein the computer instructions configured to cause the at least onehardware processor to intercept the network traffic include computerinstructions configured to cause the at least one hardware processor tomonitor application-level processes.
 5. The host device of claim 4,wherein the computer instructions configured to cause the at least onehardware processor to monitor the application-level processes includecomputer instructions configured to cause the at least one hardwareprocessor to monitor for network calls from one or more applications. 6.The host device of claim 2, wherein the computer instructions configuredto cause the at least one hardware processor to intercept the networktraffic include computer instructions configured to cause the at leastone hardware processor to monitor root-level processes.
 7. The hostdevice of claim 2, wherein the computer instructions configured to causethe at least one hardware processor to package the intercepted networktraffic as the one or more virtual files include computer instructionsconfigured to cause the at least one hardware processor to use virtualprivate network (VPN) tables to package the intercepted network trafficas the one or more virtual files.
 8. The host device of claim 2, whereinthe one or more virtual files include a plurality of data packets. 9.The host device of claim 2, wherein the computer instructions arefurther configured to cause the at least one hardware processor toencrypt the one or more virtual files before the one or more virtualfiles are transferred to the secure digital security system.
 10. Thehost device of claim 2, wherein the one or more virtual files include aheader indicating that the one or more virtual files contain theintercepted network traffic and not storage data.
 11. The host device ofclaim 2, wherein the virtual file interface may be configured to operateas a non-virtual file interface to transfer storage data to the securedigital security system at a different time.
 12. A method comprising:intercepting network traffic by a host device, the intercepted networktraffic including one of incoming network traffic to the host device oroutgoing network traffic from the host device, the host device includingat least one hardware processor and a virtual file interface configuredto assist in transferring the network data as one or more virtual filedto a secure digital security system, the secure digital security systemincluding a security engine configured to conduct a security process onnetwork traffic; packaging by the host device the intercepted networktraffic as the one or more virtual files containing the interceptednetwork traffic; providing by the host device the one or more virtualfiles to the virtual file interface, the virtual file interfaceassisting in transferring the one or more virtual files as file data tothe secure digital security system, the secure digital system configuredto evaluate the network traffic in the one or more virtual files forcompliance with a security policy, and generate a security indicationwhether to allow or to deny the network traffic in accordance with theevaluation; receiving by the host device from the secure digitalsecurity system the security indication whether to allow or to deny thenetwork traffic; and processing by the host device the interceptednetwork traffic when the security indication indicates that theintercepted network traffic is safe according to the security process.13. The method of claim 12, wherein the intercepting the network trafficincludes monitoring application-level processes.
 14. The method of claim13, wherein the monitoring the application-level processes includesmonitoring for network calls from one or more applications.
 15. Themethod of claim 12, wherein the intercepting the network trafficincludes monitoring root-level processes.
 16. The method of claim 12,wherein the packaging the intercepted network traffic as the one or morevirtual files includes using virtual private network (VPN) tables topackage the intercepted network traffic as the one or more virtualfiles.
 17. The method of claim 12, wherein the one or more virtual filesinclude a plurality of data packets.
 18. The method of claim 12, whereinthe one or more virtual files include a header indicating that the oneor more virtual files contain the intercepted network traffic and notstorage data.
 19. The method of claim 12, further comprising configuringthe virtual file interface to operate as a non-virtual file interface totransfer storage data to the secure digital security system at adifferent time.